“Since this award is tainted with the dishonorable actions of the NFL and its players, I cannot accept it.

A disabled Navy veteran has refused to receive an honor from the New Orleans Saints due to some players taking a knee during the national anthem. From NOLA.com:

Retired Navy Cmdr. John Wells, executive director of the national Military Veterans Advocacy, was named a Peoples Health Champion, an award given by the Medicare health insurance advantage organization to citizens over 65 who have made significant accomplishments after reaching “senior citizen” status.

But on Wednesday, Wells told the organization he was unable “in good conscience, to enter an NFL stadium” while some players “disrespect” the American flag by kneeling or sitting during the anthem. Some Saints players in recent weeks have kneeled before the anthem, then stood while the anthem is sung.

Wells served in the Navy from 1972 to 1994. After his service, he became an attorney and specializes in military and veterans law. He cannot believe that the NFL has not done anything to stop the protests:

“Although I am touched and honored to be selected for such an award, the ongoing controversy with NFL players’ disrespect for the national flag forces me to decline to participate in the presentation,” Wells said. “”Since this award is tainted with the dishonorable actions of the NFL and its players, I cannot accept it. To do so would be hypocritical.”

The Saints are disappointed, but reminded Wells and the rest of the community that the organization has a history of honoring those who served:

“We will not allow Mr. Wells’ decision and subsequent media appearances to distract our players and organization from continuing to honor and support our military and veterans. We, as an organization, have decided to move on from this sad and divisive discourse and focus our attention on supporting our military and veterans.”

Others in New Orleans have also lashed out against the team for the protests. The Advocate reported that a lot of “local establishments responded by refusing to show the games.” One local Lafayette beer distributor promised to “stop selling Saints and NFL branded point-of-sale items” while “a Slidell Mardi Gras krewe disinvited two of the players who were seated — Alex Okafor and Kenny Vaccaro — from being grand marshals in their January parade.”

So the NFL issues this comment about a commander who “We, as an organization, have decided to move on from this sad and divisive discourse and focus our attention on supporting our military and veterans”

Oops.. I started to say something else and forgot to delete it. What I was going to say was…The NFL says, “We, as an organization, have decided to move on from this sad and divisive discourse and focus our attention on supporting our military and veterans”

I turned down an opportunity to hold a giant American flag on the field during an F-16 flyby at a Cleveland Browns game on 12 Nov. I had signed up back in the summer before the kneeling infection had spread past the 49ers. When asked last week if I could still attend the military detail, I told the public affairs rep I’m not going to stand there in uniform on the field holding Old Glory while those bastards kneel. I wish our commander would cancel the entire detail and tell the Browns owner the exact reason why.

Look, these awards are nothing more than PR, to the NFL. Where were they prior to 9/11/2001, with regard to veterans? This is just another PR stunt, like breast cancer awareness month in the NFL. They will jump on ANY bandwagon perceived to have public appeal.

“Although I am touched and honored to be selected for such an award, the ongoing controversy with NFL players’ disrespect for the national flag forces me to decline to participate in the presentation,” Wells said. “”Since this award is tainted with the dishonorable actions of the NFL and its players, I cannot accept it. To do so would be hypocritical.”

Much more polite than my “You and your team of crybaby socialist virtue signaling sonsabitches can go fuck yourselves.”

simple – ALL VETS who honor our flag, go and spend time with family picnics, fishing, play with the kids, play golf, walk your dog, watch a good movie – JUST DO NOT WATCH THE NFL BASTARDS – Papa Johns has seen decline in sales and the sports equipment suppliers need to see loss in trademarked equipment.

If anyone has the gravitas to tell it like it is concerning the kneelers, it is this commander. He not only served but is now serving those that did. Unlike the millionaire pampered NFL players he has put his body where the action is and stood tall in harm’s way. The more this continues the worse it is for the game. NFL= No F*cking Longer.

“We, as an organization, have decided to move on from this sad and divisive discourse and focus our attention on supporting our military and veterans.”

Says the owner cowards who allowed this to advance beyond the first time the National Anthem was sat out. Every action, every new comment from the league reinforces my disinterest in watching a single play of professional football snowflakes.

I salute CDR Well’s for refusing to be used as a pawn in the league’s attempt to draw veterans back into their disgusting fold.